Flexible planar gusseted package for dispensing a product through a fitment

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a flexible package for dispensing a product through a fitment. The package has a planar enclosed body extending between a bottom end and a top end. The package further includes a planar gusset panel sealed to the body at the top end. The gusset panel is sealed to the body such that the package can be folded so that the gusset panel will lie flat against and in the same plane as the body of the package. The gusset panel further includes an aperture disposed therein. A dispensing fitment extends through the aperture on the gusset panel for dispensing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A flexible package for dispensing a product through a fitment, said package comprising: (a) a substantially planar enclosed body, said body extending between a bottom end and a top end, and said body having opposing body sides;   (b) a substantially planar gusset panel sealed to said body at said top end, said gusset panel having an aperture disposed therein, said gusset panel having opposing sides that are sealed to said body of said package by gusset seals located generally between said aperture and said body sides, said seals being such that said package can be folded when empty so that said gusset panel will lie flat against and in substantially the same plane as said body; and   (c) a dispensing fitment extending through said aperture on said gusset panel.   
     
     
       2. The package according to claim 1 wherein said gusset panel is integral with said body. 
     
     
       3. The package according to claim 1 wherein said dispensing fitment comprises a round externally threaded member. 
     
     
       4. The package according to claim 1 wherein said body and said gusset panel are made from a plastic laminate having a thickness ranging from about 100 microns to about 254 microns. 
     
     
       5. The package according to claim 1 wherein said package is filled with a paste product and said top and bottom of said package are closed. 
     
     
       6. A flexible package for dispensing a product through a fitment, said package comprising: (a) a substantially planar enclosed body having an interior for containing a product and an exterior, said body extending between a bottom end and a top end;   (b) a substantially planar gusset panel attached to said top end, said gusset panel having an opposing top and bottom, opposing sides and an aperture disposed between said top bottom and sides, each of said sides of said gusset panel being sealed to said body of said package by a substantially V-shape seal pointing away from said aperture, said seals being such that said body of said package can be folded so that said gusset panel will lie flat against and in substantially the same plane as said body; and   (c) a dispensing fitment extending through said aperture in said gusset panel.   
     
     
       7. The package according to claim 6 wherein said gusset panel is integral with said body. 
     
     
       8. The package according to claim 7 wherein said gusset panel and said body comprise a substantially rectangular web of flexible material having opposing major peripheral edges and opposing minor peripheral edges, said aperture being between said major and minor peripheral edges, said web being folded so as to create a front and a back of said package which juxtapose each other, said minor peripheral edges being adjacent to each other forming said bottom and said web being sealed along said major peripheral edges thereby forming said enclosed body, said gusset panel comprising two folds one adjacent each of said front and said back of said package, said folds being compressed and sealed in areas adjacent to said sides of said gusset panel so as to form said substantially V-shaped seals on said sides of said gusset panel. 
     
     
       9. The package according to claim 6 wherein said dispensing fitment comprises a round externally threaded member. 
     
     
       10. The package according to claim 6 wherein said dispensing fitment comprises a round member having a flip top cap attached thereto. 
     
     
       11. The package according to claim 6 wherein said body and said gusset panel are made from a plastic laminate having a thickness ranging from about 100 microns to about 254 microns. 
     
     
       12. The package according to claim 6 wherein said gusset panel can expand outwardly when said package is filled with product and sealed. 
     
     
       13. The package according to claim 6 wherein said package is filled with a paste/cream product and said top and bottom of said package are closed. 
     
     
       14. A flexible package for dispensing a product through a fitment, said package comprising: (a) a substantially planar enclosed body having an interior for containing a product and an exterior, said body extending between a bottom end and a top end;   (b) a substantially planar gusset panel secured to said top end, said gusset panel having an opposing top and bottom, opposing sides and an aperture disposed between said top bottom and sides, each of said sides of said gusset panel being sealed to said body of said package by a substantially V-shape seal pointing away from said aperture, said seals being such that said body of said package can be folded so that said gusset panel will lie flat against and in substantially the same plane as said body said gusset panel being integral with said body;   (c) said gusset panel and said body comprise a substantially rectangular web of flexible material having opposing major peripheral edges and opposing minor peripheral edges, said aperture being between said major and minor peripheral edges, said web being folded so as to create a front and a back of said package which juxtapose each other, said minor peripheral edges being adjacent to each other forming said bottom and said web being sealed along said major peripheral edges thereby forming said enclosed body, said gusset panel comprising two folds one adjacent each of said front and said back of said package, said folds being compressed and sealed in areas adjacent to said sides of said gusset panel so as to form said substantially V-shaped seals on said sides of said gusset panel; and   (c) a dispensing fitment extending through said aperture in said gusset panel.   
     
     
       15. The package according to claim 14 wherein said dispensing fitment comprises a round externally threaded member. 
     
     
       16. The package according to claim 14 wherein said dispensing fitment comprises a round member having a flip top cap attached thereto. 
     
     
       17. The package according to claim 14 wherein said body and said gusset panel are made from a plastic laminate having a thickness ranging from about 100 microns to about 254 microns. 
     
     
       18. The package according to claim 14 wherein said gusset panel can expand outwardly when said package is filled with product and sealed. 
     
     
       19. The package according to claim 14 wherein said package is filled with a paste/cream product and said top and bottom of said package are closed.